Swingletree-clip or trace-fastener.



B. 1i. WHBTSBLL. SWINGLETREB OL'IP 0B TRAQB FASTENEB.

APPLICATION FILED APB.. 21, 1909.

Patented Jan. 4, 1910.

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`fletree.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN F. WHETSELL, OF ELKLINS, WEST VIRGINIA.

SWINGLETREE-CLIP QR TRACE-FASTENER.

To yall/whom fit may concern:

Be it known that il, BENJAMIN F. W'iI-m'rsnm., aeitizen of the United States, residing at Elkins, in 4the `county lof :Randolph and State of Vest Virginizuhave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Swingletree-Clips or Trace-Fasteners, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to ltrace fasteners, and has for its object the production of novel lneans whereby `a trace may be quickly attachedor detached from a whitlletree.

Another `object of this invention is the production of a `whitlletree hook, which will securely hold a trace in place and prevent any rattling.

iWith theseiandother objects in View `this invention consists of certain -novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafter fully described and clailned.

In the drawings.; Figure `1 is a perspective Aview of one end ofa whittletree, showing my improved device applied thereto; Fig. 2 is a `longitudinal section ofthe same; and Fie'. 3 lis a section takenon lineB- of Fig. 2.

` l Referring to the drawings by numerals 1 designates a whiflietree inthe end of which is adapted to be threadeda bolt-member 2, which member is provided intermediate its ends with a pair of laterally-extending lugs 3. Adapted to lit upon the outer end of the whitiletree 1 is a casing, o'r sleeve, Ll; which also rfits over the bolt-member 2, and said casing is provided at its .outer end with a plurality 4of socket-portions 5 adapted to receive the lugs 3 upon the bolt-member. Sleeve 4 is held against rotation by means of a' screw G, which passes through said casing and firmly secures the same to the whif- Therefore, it will be obvious that the bolt-member 2 will be also held against rotation.

The bolt-member 2 is provided with a flattened outer end 7 and a flattened side 8. A locking-member 9 is adapted to be pivotally secured to the outer end of the bolt-member 2 and said locking-member 9 is provided with a pair of ears 10, which ears are adapted to fit upon said flattened end, and are pivotally secured thereto, thereby pivotally mounting said locking-member upon said boltmember. The locking-member 9 is provided with a protruding outer end 11, which end is adapted to engage the spring-member 12,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 21, 1909.

.Patented Jan. 1L, 1910.

serial No. 491,369.

hereinafter described. The locking-member 9 is provided with a primary bulged portion 13 and :an auxiliary `bulged portion l-l, the bulged portion 13 allowing the free movement of the trace upon `the bolt-member 2. The bulged portion 14 facilitates the gripping of the locking-member 9 for operating the same, and allowing the trace to be removed from the whillictrce. The springmember 12 is secured at its inner end by means of screws l5, and which latter (3, holds the sleeve 4 against rotation. The spring-member l2 is also provided with a bulged .portion 1G, which is adapted to be opposite to the bulged portion 13 of the locking-member, and receive the trace, which is adapted 4to be placed upon the bolt-meluber 2. The outer' end 17 of the springmember 12 engages the outer end '11 of the locking-member 9 and holds the same in a locked, or closed, position, as shown in Fig.

liVhen it is desired to remove the trace from the bolt-member 2 the locking-member 9 is swung, so as to have -the outer end 11 positioned upon the flattened side 8 of the' vbolt-member 2 as shown in dotted lines.

Then the trace can be easily slipped from the outer end 11 of the locking-member 9 and after said trace has been slipped upon said end the locking-member 9 can be thrown in an upright position, or at right angles to the bolt-member 2, and said end will push the t ace out of engagement with the springmember 12, and then the trace can be easily slipped ott' of the locki11g-member 9. Therefore, it will be obvious that the trace can be easily attached to, or detached from the whitllctree.

It will be obvious that by having the structure constructed in accordance with the foregoing specification, and as illustrated in the official drawing, I have produced novel means for easily and quicklyi attaching a trace to the end of a whiflletree.

To place the trace on the bolt member 2, the locking member 9 is thrown to a vertical position and the trace is engaged therewith and slid down thereon till it partly rests upon the member 2 and partly projects from the end thereof, the depending end 11 holding t-he outer end 17 of the spring member 12 spaced apart from the end of member 2. As the member 9 is swung over into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, it will carry the trace into a position from which it may be manually pushed into the position shown in Fig. 2, the bulged portion 13 of the member 9 bearing against the outer end 17 of the member l2, and forcing the latter into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2 and holding it in such position till the trace is pushed onto the member 2. Then the member 9 is thrown back into the locked position shown in Fig. 2. To remove the trace the operation is reversed.

lVhat I claim is:

l. A device of the class described comprising a sleeve, a bolt provided with a flattened outer end and a flattened side, a lockingmember provided with a plurality of ears, said ears engaging and pivoted to said flattened end, said pivoted member provided with an extending outer end adapted to engage said flattened side when in an extended position, and fit snugly thereon, for allowing the trace to be quickly attached thereto.

2. A device of the class described comprising a bolt provided with a flattened outer end, a pivoted member provided with a plurality of ears and a protruding end, said ears being pivoted to said iattened end, a casing adapted to lit over said bolt, said pivoted member provided with a gripping portion adapted to normally engage said casing, and means adapted to engage the outer endV of said pivoted-member and normally hold said gripping-portion in engagement with said casing.

3. A device of the class described comprising a whililetree, a bolt threaded in one end thereof, means positioned upon the end of said whiilietree and engaging said bolt-member for holding the same against rotation, a pivoted locking member secured to the outer end of said bolt-member, said locking member provided with a protruding end, primary and auxiliary loop portions, a spring member secured to said whililetree and engaging the outer protruding end of said locking member, said protruding end adapted to hold the spring member out of engagement with said bolt member, and said primary bulged portion of said locking member adapted to force a trace positioned thereon from between the protruding end of said locking member and the spring member when being swung from a vertical to a horizontal position.

4l. A device of the class described comprising a whiliietree, a bolt threaded therein, means engaging said bolt for holding the same against rotation, a locking member pivotally secured to the outer end thereo a spring member, said locking member provided with a protruding end adapted to engage said spring member and adapted to hold the same out of engagement with said bolt member, said bolt member adapted to receive a trace and said protruding end of said locking member adapted to force the trace off said bolt and out from between said spring member and said bolt member when said locking member is being thrown from a horizontal to a vertical position and when the trace is being removed from the fastener'.

5. In a device of the class described the combination with a support, of a bolt member secured thereto, a spring member provided with a bulged outer end, a locking member pivotally secured to said bolt-member and provided with a protruding end, and a primary and auxiliary bulged portion, said protruding end adapted to engage the outer end of said spring member for allowing` the traceto be placed upon said boltmember and said primary bulged portion adapted to force said trace upon said bolt member when being thrown into a horizontal position, and said locking member adapted to normally hold. said trace against displacement from said bolt member.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afx my vsignature in presence of two witnesses.

BENJAMIN F. WHETSELL.

Titnesses B. M. IIoovnn, ETI-mr. W. DEAR. 

